The collective AECM Hamster_01 was introduced in 2014 in the territorial Agri- Environment-Climatic Plan (PAEC) “Great Hamster of Alsace” (“Grand Hamster d’Alsace”) to protect the European Hamster in Alsace. Hence, the contract solution aims at encouraging the provision of a public good (remarkable biodiversity) for which the supply is limited to a specific geographical area. Since its implementation, ten territories spread among 3 eligible static protected zones contracted the measure. It represents about 140 farmers and 3000 ha. In addition to farmers, this scheme also involves various key stakeholders: the association AFSAL acting as an intermediary and regulator and in charge of allocating the public financial support among farmers; the Chamber of Agriculture of Alsace; the French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB); the Departmental Directorates of Territories (DDT) of the Bas Rhin and Haut Rhin Departments. The collective payment is conditioned to the implementation of crops and agricultural practices in favour of the survival of the European hamster on at least the targeted percent of the agricultural land of the territory. The individual “burrow premium” is conditioned to the identification of at least one hamster burrow on the agricultural plot.
HAMSTER – Collective AECM to restore habitats of the European Hamster in Alsace (France)
Objectives
Protect the habitats and populations of European hamster;
Maintain the good functioning of the entire ecosystem associated with the specie.
Public Goods
(Farmland) biodiversity
Cultural heritage
European Alsace Hamster
Problem description
Cricetus cricetus is an umbrella indicator specie contributing to agricultural soil quality. In France, its presence is limited to a few municipalities in Alsace. Threatened by the development of maize cultivation and its reputation as an agricultural pest, it is classified in the list of endangered species and protected by the Habitats Directive since the early 1990s. Operations aiming at maintaining European Hamster populations were carried out since the late 1990s but failed to meet the objectives. Following a complaint submitted in 2006, the Court of Justice of the European Union convicted France in 2011 for its lack of effective protection. 2 individual agri-environmental measures supporting the implementation of crops and agricultural practices in favour of the European hamster were introduced during the 2007-2013 CAP programming period. However, the lack of spatial coordination of the operations limited their impact. Therefore, the National Hunting and Wildlife Bureau (today part of the French Agency for Biodiversity) and the Chamber of Agriculture of Alsace took the initiative of proposing a collective agri-environment climate measure (AECM) in the territorial project of the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, in addition to 4 individual AECM. In order to encourage more farmers to get involved in this approach, an individual bonus designed as a “burrow premium” was introduced in 2018 to reward the land managers of the plots on which at least one European hamster burrow was identified.
In TUOHI, the contract solutions include private investments in the jointly owned forest forms of investing money or forest property. Monetary investments are spent for acquisitions of forest land. All shareholders of TUOHI have agreed on the management regime based on continuous cover (uneven-aged) forestry. In addition to the economic benefits to shareholders, TUOHI is addressing improvements in forest biodiversity and increasing carbon storage. General juridical provisions on jointly owned forests are applied. Currently, TUOHI is attracting an increasing number of investors.
Objectives
Win-win solution: Profitable forestry without clear cuttings;
Preservation of rich forest nature and multiple use opportunities of forests;
Maintain and increase carbon storage in forests.
Public Goods
Landscape and sceneryClimate regulation – carbon storage
Recreational access / Improvements to physical and mental healthResilience to natural hazards
(Farmland) biodiversity
Green jointly owned forest – TUOHI
Problem description
In Finland, uneven-aged forest management has been allowed since an amendment in Forest Act in 2014. Before this amendment, forest management was legally restricted practically only to even-aged forestry regime. This restriction lasted approximately 60 years. In even-aged forestry, all trees on a forest site have roughly the same age and height, and the forest is regenerated in a single point of time, typically with clear cutting. In uneven-aged forestry (continuous cover forestry), clear cutting is avoided and the forest is regenerated naturally by harvesting mainly only part of the biggest trees. Therefore, there is no single point of regeneration and the forest remains wooded all the time. In uneven- aged forestry, dispersed age class structure increases the features of natural forest, biodiversity, scenery and recreation possibilities, as well as carbon storage. Currently, uneven-aged forestry is still applied in rather low levels in Finland. If applied with success, uneven-aged forestry may also result in valuable roundwood products and economic benefits to owners. Traditionally, jointly owned forests as a forestry-specific juridical and financial entities have had strictly planned management with even aged forestry regime. If the shareholders of a jointly owned forest agree with an uneven-age forestry management regime, this may be taken as the main forest management regime of the jointly owned forest. In addition, the jointly owned forest area of uneven-aged management may increase, if it attracts investors with additional private capital. In the case of the jointly owned forest TUOHI, new legal opportunities (structural change) combined with skilled initiators in continuous cover (uneven-aged) forestry management this kind of development has taken place.
The initiative called “water protection bread (Wasserschutzbrot)” is led by the government of Lower Franconia and has started in 2014 with one water supplier, one farmer, one mill, and one bakery. Today, in 2019, 32 farmers are participating. The farmers deliver the wheat to the mills that are processing it to flour for regional bakeries, keeping it separated from other wheat. The bakeries sell the bakery product labelled with a special label. Eligible are farmers who farm land in drinking water abstraction areas from a public water supplier and/or in water sensible areas. They renounce late fertilisation of wheat that is heavily criticised from the point of view of groundwater protection and guarantee applying a maximum of 160 kg N/ha. This allows to significantly reduce the nitrogen surpluses in the soil and to avoid leaching to groundwater. Wheat from selected varieties has good baking properties despite a lower protein content of 11-11,5% instead of 13%. A communication campaign targeted at the consumers is part of the initiative to inform about the importance of clean ground- and drinking water as well as the possibility to contribute to it by buying bakery products from this wheat in more than 100 selling points.
Objectives
The aim is the protection of ground and drinking water through a sustainable and regional value chain. Reducing the nitrogen load in groundwater is hereby in the foreground.
Public Goods
Water Qualiy
Climate regulation – carbon storage
Rural viability and vitality
Water_protection_Bread
Problem description
Problems with the groundwater quality arise in areas with high agricultural intensity combined with low precipitation rates, a low groundwater recharge rate and in parts very shallow soils. The government from Lower Franconia has started the initiative as a response to it; today it includes as well Central and Upper Franconia.
The Swaledale CSFF group was one of the first to be set up in the UK and has benefited from other similar CSFFs being set up across the North of England region as part of the 2017 Northern Flood Round. This was viewed both as a necessity given the magnitude of the flooding issue, both on farms and further downstream, but also due to the need for farmers to diversify their income sources due to low farm incomes. The 17 farmers involved at the outset wanted to engage with NFM measures and had expressed particular interests in soil management, flood water infiltration and planting of trees and hedges; all these are issues that are addressed in the monthly meetings to build up knowledge of different practices.
Objectives
NFM such as woody debris dams to improve water quality by reducing phosphate and sediment within the catchment;
Soil health;
Tree Planting/woodland creation;
Maintenance of field boundaries to reduce flooding;
Understanding catchment flood risks;
Funding streams through Countryside Stewardship.
Public Goods
Water QualiyResilience to natural hazards
Rural viability and vitalityLandscape and scenery
Soil quality (and health)Cultural heritage
Biodiversity monitor for ARABLE farming
Problem description
The Swaledale NFM CSFF was funded through the Northern Flood Round of the CSFF in response to impacts in the area from Storm Desmond in 2015. Damage to farmland, flash flooding and high flood waters were all strong driving forces for collective action and the group were keen to begin working together better; CSFF was a good way to support this. Water often backs up and floods where the rivers meet, for instance at Arkle Beck, but the worst effects are felt further downstream as the water takes longer to drain away in the flatter areas. There was a desire to work collectively to slow the flow of water moving downstream and also reduce pollution washing downstream. Awareness has been raised about different types of NFM as well.
The initiative of Bio-Babalscy company represents a case of the integrated value chain, and is an example of the very successful integration process resulting in strong organizational and financial synergy effects, while protecting the environmental public goods. Cooperation within the chain is largely based on mutual trust and friendly relations between farmers (grains suppliers) and the processor. Most of the seeds used by contracted farmers are provided by Bio Babalski company, closely co-operating among others with the Gene Bank in Poland. Each year on the plots on Babalski’s farm in Pokrzydowo about 70 varieties of old species of cereals are cultivated. The best species and varieties are promoted (1 hectare of land can be sown after 5-7 years from the reproduction of 100 seeds) and reproduced in order to provide seeds to other farmers. In total over 600 tons of grains are being processed annually, and the annual sales of final products reach about 350 tons. In addition to pasta and flakes also wholemeal flour, bran, and even spelt coffee are produced. All products from Bio-Babalscy company are certified as organic. Wholegrain pasta with Bio Babalscy brand, especially this made of spelt wheat, costs even 50% more than the conventional one. Nevertheless, the number of consumers who believe in quality of Bio Babalscy products is growing, assuring good prospects for the future of the company and the entire integrated supply chain. The organic farm and processing Bio-Babalscy plant are visited by about two thousand persons every year. The visitors are groups of students, farmers and consumers from all over Poland and also from abroad – all who want to see and learn how to successfully run a model eco farm and to protect environment.
Objectives
Preservation, protection and restoration of old varieties of wheat, thus supporting biodiversity and culinary heritage of the region;
Securing economic viability of farms in the Brodnica County;
Protecting environment by organic production;
Maintaining family traditions of organic production.
Public Goods
(Farmland) biodiversity
Rural viability and vitality
Quality and security of products
Biodiversity monitor for ARABLE farming
Problem description
Aleksandra and Mieczysław Babalski belong to the pioneers of organic farming in Poland. At the beginning of the 80’s Babalski decided to cultivate the land on his farm using ecological methods, based on his experience from longer stays and short visits to organic farms in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The family started farming on the area of 9 hectares of agricultural land. After conversion, his farm has been certified by the Agro Bio Test Certification Body (PL EKO 07 90001) as the first certified organic farm in Poland. In 1991 a plant for pasta production was built, which is operating along with the farm. One of the most important products of the company is wholemeal pasta, which is made from traditional, old varieities of grains. The flour used for making pasta at “Bio Babalscy”, unlike standard flour, contains remnants of shells and peels which provide a healthy fiber. The Babalscy are passionate about ecology and environment protection. They contribute to these by producing and protecting old varieties of cereals (such as spelt, flatfish and samarium), which have unique nutritional and health values, as well as through disseminating organic methods of production. They also cultivate old varieties of fruits (mainly apples) in their orchard. In 2010, Babalski’s farm won the competition for the Best Ecological Farm in Poland in the category “Ecology and Environment”. Since 2012 the company is a member of the Regional Network called “Culinary Heritage of Kujawy and Pomerania”, and is also engaged in the activities of the Association for Old Varieties and Breeds and Cuiavia and Pomerania Association of Ecological Producers EKOŁAN.
With the successes with the Biodiversity Monitor dairy farming (started in 2014 – see other Console case study), the arable farming sector has been inspired to create a Biodiversity Monitor specifically for arable farming in the Netherlands (started in 2018).The concept is similar; differences include the stakeholder coalition and KPIs. The Biodiversity Monitor for arable farming is a result-based methodology, with a primary focus on the public good biodiversity (including strong links with soils, landscape, environment and climate). The aim of the methodology is to make biodiversity enhancing performance per arable farm measurable. In this way it becomes possible to benchmark farms and allow multiple stakeholders to appreciate and reward positive biodiversity performance. These stacked financial rewards should lead to new revenue models for ecosystem-based arable farming. As a consequence, it offers farmers action perspective to improve practices for more sustainable production. The methodology is currently being developed by WWF-NL, Branch Organization Arable Farming, province Groningen and Rabobank, in collaboration with scientists, experts, stakeholders and farmers. The biodiversity-enhancing performance per arable farm is measured with an integrated set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The set of KPIs is currently (Jan. 2020) still under construction, but will likely include indicators on topics around emissions, inputs, soil management and nature & landscape elements on the farm. These KPIs will be selected based on multiple criteria, including their scientifically proven relation with biodiversity, connection to existing data systems (minimize extra admin), and that performance can be influenced in the short term by taking on farm measures. The KPI research, selection and piloting will be executed in 2020-2022 by scientists from Wageningen University & Research and Louis Bolk Institute, in collaboration with Boerennatuur and farmers. For each KPI, scientists will also determine threshold- and target values based on existing legislation and policies, and the best available scientific knowledge. Good performance on the integrated set of KPIs can be linked with financial rewards from multiple stakeholders. Note that the Biodiversity Monitor provides a scientifically substantiated methodology to measure biodiversity-enhancing performance per farm, while contracting parties who use this data are free to decide how they reward the farmer. Because the research/development and piloting of KPIs is still ongoing, no contracts using the Biodiversity Monitor systems have been implemented yet. Similar to the dairy sector, the arable sector can use the Biodiversity Monitor KPIs in private-private and private- public contracts, and there is much potential for integrating it in the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It is foreseen to involve multiple rewarding parties (e.g. arable produce buyers, cooperatives, banks, land leaseholders, water boards, governments) to use the Biodiversity monitor to reward and stimulate ecosystem-based arable production.
Objectives
The objective of the Biodiversity Monitor is to make biodiversity enhancing performances per arable farm measurable (using an integrated approach). This allows multiple stakeholders to financially reward positive biodiversity impacts based on unambiguous scientifically relevant results. The stacked financial rewards from multiple stakeholders, based on the same KPIs, will stimulate farmer to practice ecosystem-based arable farming. In this way, the Biodiversity Monitor stimulates the transition towards more sustainable production while enhancing biodiversity recovery, additional farmer income, and a future perspective for the arable sector.
The Netherlands are among the European countries with the biggest challenge when it comes to protecting biodiversity (EEA, 2015). Populations of wild animals in the agricultural landscape decreased by 50% since 1990 (WWF-NL, 2020). These massive losses of nature are largely related to increased intensification and scale of agricultural production over the past decades. With a 29% land share (CBS, 2019), the arable sector is one of the biggest users of agricultural land in the Netherlands and puts significant pressure on biodiversity – both on farmland and on adjacent nature areas. The arable lands are generally intensively managed with short rotations, high input levels of fertilizers, pesticides and soil tillage. This type of management threatens wildlife species such as field birds and insects. Most non-agricultural landscape elements, such as hedges and flowery corners, have disappeared during land consolidation processes for scaling. This leaves less and less space for birds, butterflies, and other animals to forage, seek shelter and nest. Moreover, the quality of these habitats declines due to environmental pollution caused by agricultural (and other) activities. Especially nitrogen deposition and leaching causes eutrophication of soils and water, leading to losses of plant species and life in freshwater. All these practices together affect the entire wildlife food-web, leading to a massive loss of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape and beyond. Changes in farming practices are urgently needed to stop and reverse biodiversity losses, but also to ensure the continuation of agricultural production which depends on ecosystem services (e.g. clean water and healthy soils). However, current markets provide small margins on arable produce, resulting in low income for farmers what stimulates intensification even further. In order to create a future perspective for nature and arable farmers, new business models are required to make ecosystem-based arable farming a sustainable, profitable and attractive practice for farmers. In the light of that challenge, the Biodiversity Monitor for arable farming has been established by a multi-stakeholder coalition consisting of WWF-Netherlands, BO Akkerbouw (branch organization arable farming Netherlands), province Groningen, and Rabobank (largest agricultural financer in the Netherlands).
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